Thanks.
I did end up going with all new arms and panhard rods since my bushings were shot. So far no driveline issues with the current height. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
Dobinsons 3.5" Tapered Lift... or? (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter SurveyJoe
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Thanks.
I did end up going with all new arms and panhard rods since my bushings were shot. So far no driveline issues with the current height. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
Get longer brake lines. You will need them. Get the flexi coils.
Panhard bars are nice. They help center the wheels under the truck.
When you order just call David Attero. If you have any other questions or want suggestions this man knows his stuff.
I know when I ordered stuff was on sale so I got an extra 10% off from him.
Panhard bars are nice. They help center the wheels under the truck.
When you order just call David Attero. If you have any other questions or want suggestions this man knows his stuff.
I know when I ordered stuff was on sale so I got an extra 10% off from him.
No personal experience with the 6" shocks, just from what I've read here. My 2.5" lift variable rate tapered spring is nowhere near maxed out with the 4" lift shocks.
Note that the point of the Variable Rate Tapered springs is that you have a lot of spring length compressed at the top of the spring which allows it to stretch a lot more than a single rate spring would.
Just buy something already, your trucks not gonna lift itself... 
Shops ready when you are.
Shops ready when you are.
lumbee1
Native American
- Variable tapered coils for a heavy rig.
- Flexicoils for a light rig.
I had 4" Flexicoils in the rear and with a 4x4 Labs bumper, spare tire mounted, and myself the Cruiser was great. With family and full camp gear, the rear sat about 1.5" lower and wallowed badly. Driving on the beach with gear caused the rear to bounce badly and the light duty Fox shocks could not keep up.
I've recently installed variable tapered coils and IMS shocks. I'm impressed. The Cruiser is still soft but feels planted and the bumps are muted. I haven't taken it too far to really test them because I have indications of a HG failure coming soon.
BTW, the IMS shocks (9.8lbs) are FAT and weigh twice as much as the Fox shocks (4.8lbs). The IMS are built for abuse.
Nice job on getting some good springs! Money well spent.
I would pick up a cheap strut compressor. Makes installing a little easier.
The trail gear front bumper is cheap and just fine.
I would pick up a cheap strut compressor. Makes installing a little easier.
The trail gear front bumper is cheap and just fine.
Do Not get the cheapest one. The hooks on the cheapest HF one have broken on me. Even on the next step up HF spring compressors i was a little scared installing these springs. I felt I was at the limit of what the compressors would hold.
To get these springs on you needs your brake lines extended already and the swaybars disconnected then you compress the spring and then fight it a bit. Fronts were harder than the rears.
I managed to install the springs without a compressor. Front end requires disconnecting the panhard.
Fronts are definitely harder than the rears.
The most difficult part of my install was the driver front frame to axle brake line. That one was just awful to access.
Fronts are definitely harder than the rears.
The most difficult part of my install was the driver front frame to axle brake line. That one was just awful to access.
Last edited:
I was able to get one side of the front and both rears on without the spring compressor. I needed it for one side on the front.
It also depends on what spring you're installing. The Variable Rate Tapered springs are very tall. Oh, and in addition to using the spring compressor. I used zip ties on the softer rate top coils to cinch them down, then I clipped them off when I had it in place. Every little bit helps to get these in.
I don’t know if anyone has mentioned it, but multi rate springs won’t ride like a normal linear spring if you’re one the lighter side. I just went on a 4 hour road trip and noticed that when going around corners, the body will roll a lot until it compresses into the 2nd rate of the tapered coil. I’m waaaay light for the spring ( just sliders and drawers). Just a heads up for anybody interested in the tapered coils.
- Thread starter
- #33
Guess I’d better get some bumper ordered. I’ll be light until I finish a few things. Duo yellow top, winch, duel jerrycans, roof rack etc. I’m going to keep one seat in the back for the kiddos but I want to put storage in the other side.
I even have that feeling with bumpers and loaded drawers. Still getting used to it.
It almost feels like there is no swaybar for the first half inch of compression as you go into a turn. As soon as it moves into the 2nd rate it firms up. Like anything you trade one thing for another. The springs tend to have a bit more roll on the road, but they soak up bumps and potholes like they are not even there.
An upgraded swaybar helps a lot with that roll feeling. Whiteline is having a Black Friday sale now
I'm interested... but I also just bought some delta arms and the holidays are right around the corner. The cruiser modification fund is going to be pretty low for a while.
I think my bigger problem right now is no caster correction. I drive the cruiser pretty slow and easy but its a wandering machine with the extra front end height.
Castor bushing are the absolute last choice for castor correction. Considering your choice of springs and shocks, I assume you plan to do some wheeling. Why not do it right and buy new radius arms or at least use castor correction plates. If you flex the suspension hard those correction bushings won’t last even if they are “rubber”.
I can go through oem bushings every couple years and they have the bolt hole centered in the rubber bushing mass.
- Thread starter
- #38
I will definitely be up grading more over time. I will prob see what I get for a Christmas bonus this year and maybe get the plates, Panhard rods and upgrade the sway bars. I suspect that once the lift is installed I’ll have a better idea of what I need to do next.
This is the exact height/stance i'm looking for as well. Did you put together what you needed piece meal or is this one of their kits??
- Thread starter
- #40
I had to call and request this kit. I talked to Leo and he knew exactly what I was wanting. I got the impression that he’d had this request before. Basically it’s the basic 2.5” IMS lift kit with the tapered long travel coils and 4” IMS shocks. If you select the basic 2.5” IMS kit online, the tapered coils aren’t an option with the basic kit, and I’m not sure what length shock come with the basic kit. It’s 15% off until the end of November.
